This verse underscores God’s zero tolerance for idolatry and emphasizes His desire to preserve justice and holiness in His covenant community.
In Leviticus 20:3, the LORD declares, “I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name.” (v.3) This verse follows the broader prohibition against child sacrifice and worship of false gods, especially Molech, a pagan deity worshipped by certain groups in the ancient Near East, including the Ammonites. By commanding Israel to avoid such horrific practices, the LORD seeks to protect His people from the exploitative corruption of pagan nations and preserve the holiness of Israel’s worship. The warning that God will “set His face against” the offender underscores the seriousness of this violation. It reflects how the sanctity of innocent life and the sanctity of God’s name are deeply intertwined.
The historical setting of Leviticus spans the period after the Exodus from Egypt (around 1446 BC) while Israel wandered in the wilderness, receiving divine legislation. Molech-worship was often associated with the region east of the Jordan, inhabited by the Ammonites, and involved sacrificing children by fire in a gruesome attempt to secure favor or avert calamity. The LORD’s condemnation, “because he has given some of his offspring to Molech,” (v.3) shows that such acts polluted both the people and the place where they approached God. Since the tabernacle—God’s dwelling among the Israelites—was central to their worship, any act that “defile[d] My sanctuary” (v.3) was a direct repudiation of God’s holiness. Moses likewise warned that copying such detestable practices led to sin against the Suzerain LORD, who had called Israel to be distinct from other nations.In the broader storyline of scripture, we find that devotion to false gods puts one’s heart at odds with the true God, an idea echoed by Jesus when He taught that no one can serve two masters. While the New Testament does not describe child sacrifice in the same manner, it repeatedly calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1), showing that every part of life—especially our worship—must align wholly with the LORD. By warning of being “cut off from among his people” (v.3), the text underscores that fellowship with God is inseparable from obedience to His righteous commands.
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Leviticus 20:3 meaning
In Leviticus 20:3, the LORD declares, “I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name.” (v.3) This verse follows the broader prohibition against child sacrifice and worship of false gods, especially Molech, a pagan deity worshipped by certain groups in the ancient Near East, including the Ammonites. By commanding Israel to avoid such horrific practices, the LORD seeks to protect His people from the exploitative corruption of pagan nations and preserve the holiness of Israel’s worship. The warning that God will “set His face against” the offender underscores the seriousness of this violation. It reflects how the sanctity of innocent life and the sanctity of God’s name are deeply intertwined.
The historical setting of Leviticus spans the period after the Exodus from Egypt (around 1446 BC) while Israel wandered in the wilderness, receiving divine legislation. Molech-worship was often associated with the region east of the Jordan, inhabited by the Ammonites, and involved sacrificing children by fire in a gruesome attempt to secure favor or avert calamity. The LORD’s condemnation, “because he has given some of his offspring to Molech,” (v.3) shows that such acts polluted both the people and the place where they approached God. Since the tabernacle—God’s dwelling among the Israelites—was central to their worship, any act that “defile[d] My sanctuary” (v.3) was a direct repudiation of God’s holiness. Moses likewise warned that copying such detestable practices led to sin against the Suzerain LORD, who had called Israel to be distinct from other nations.In the broader storyline of scripture, we find that devotion to false gods puts one’s heart at odds with the true God, an idea echoed by Jesus when He taught that no one can serve two masters. While the New Testament does not describe child sacrifice in the same manner, it repeatedly calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1), showing that every part of life—especially our worship—must align wholly with the LORD. By warning of being “cut off from among his people” (v.3), the text underscores that fellowship with God is inseparable from obedience to His righteous commands.